US Open, Flushing Meadows
Dates: 30 August - 12 September Start time: 1600 BST
Coverage: Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles; updates on BBC Radio 5 live; live on Sky Sports
 Nadal has yet to make it past the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows
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World number one Rafael Nadal began his campaign for a first US Open title with victory over Teymuraz Gabashvili of Russia in the first round.
The Spaniard won 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in three tough sets as Gabashvili stayed competitive with solid serving.
Nadal goes on to face Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in round two.
Fourth seed Novak Djokovic and in-form David Nalbandian earlier needed five sets to progress, while seeds Marcos Baghdatis and Ernests Gulbis lost.
Nadal was made to work hard by Gabashvili and was unable to break the world number 98 until the seventh game of the third set, having seen seven break points slip by before then.
But despite not looking completely comfortable on the quick surface, the French Open and Wimbledon champion was too strong in the tie-breaks and eventually came through in two hours and 57 minutes.
"It was a very tough match tonight," conceded Nadal. "My serve tonight worked well and hopefully I can continue like this. It's not my best shot but I always try hard to keep improving.
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A couple of points changed the match and I was just fortunate to get through
Novak Djokovic
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"I know if I want to have chances to win here, this year or any year, I need to serve really well and that's one thing I am focusing on."
Djokovic, who also went the distance in his opening match at Wimbledon this summer, beat fellow Serb Viktor Troicki 6-3 3-6 2-6 7-5 6-3 to set up a meeting with Philipp Petzschner.
The 23-year-old, who was runner-up at Flushing Meadows in 2007 and a semi-finalist in 2008 and 2009, seemed to be lagging in the heat but dug deep to come through.
"I've been in those situations before, played a lot of long matches in very difficult conditions, feeling very exhausted," he said afterwards.
"You kind of start panicking a little bit when you don't feel great physically. Then your opponent takes the advantage. And it's not easy. Definitely those moments are very challenging for an athlete."
Djokovic started well but after winning the first set he looked increasingly uncomfortable.
Troicki, yet to make it past the third round of a Grand Slam, was able to take command and won the next two sets before breaking early in the fourth for a 2-0 lead.
Djokovic was looking to shorten the rallies to preserve his energy in the strength-sapping conditions, but a poor drop shot followed by a double fault gave Troicki a break point for 4-1.
That was saved with a raking crosscourt forehand winner, however, and the 2008 Australian Open champion battled back to 2-3 before breaking to level the set.
Djokovic suddenly seemed energised and moved to 6-5 before three unforced errors from Troicki sent the match into a decider.
Early breaks were exchanged but it was Troicki who started to look weary and Djokovic was able to break for a 3-1 lead and then power through to wrap up victory in three hours and 40 minutes.
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606: DEBATE
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"Give credit to Viktor," added Djokovic. "He was playing well and serving incredibly well. Even if I would lose today it would have been deserved on his side. A couple of points changed the match and I was just fortunate to get through."
Former world number eight Baghdatis came into the tournament in resurgent form, but was shocked 6-3 2-6 1-6 6-4 7-5 by France's Arnaud Clement at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
"What can I say? I was really heavy on court, I wasn't feeling very fit," admitted Baghdatis, who was a runner-up at the 2006 Australian Open but has never been beyond round two in New York.
"I couldn't play aggressive. I was really defensive today and Arnaud played a very good first set. I didn't play very good tennis and he won the match."
Latvia's Gulbis, seeded 24th, lost in straight sets to Jeremy Chardy, 28th seed Radek Stepanek lost 6-4 6-2 4-6 6-4 to Julien Benneteau and 30th seed Juan Monaco was sent packing by Canada's Peter Polansky in straight sets.
But 19th seed Mardy Fish, runner-up to Roger Federer in Cincinnati , recovered from a mid-match wobble to overcome Jan Hajek 6-0 3-6 4-6 6-0 6-1 and 23rd seed Feliciano Lopez beat Santiago Giraldo in straight sets.
Eighth seed Fernando Verdasco avoided a repeat of his first-round exit at Wimbledon to Fabio Fognini, but only just, the Spaniard edging to a 1-6 7-5 6-1 4-6 6-3 victory over the Italian.
And Argentina's 31st seed David Nalbandian, a former semi-finalist, was a break down in the final set before eventually prevailing 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 against South African Rik de Voest.
"I didn't play last year because of injury," said Nalbandian. "I'm just so happy to be here, I just try to be do my best all the time. I feel good so far but first of all I just want to enjoy every match I play."
James Blake, who is reportedly considering retirement at the end of this tournament, sailed past Kristof Vliegen of Belgium in straight sets.
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